TORONTO: Cory Monteith, who starred as a sensitive jock on the hit musical television series "Glee" and had struggled with substance abuse, has been found dead in a Vancouver, Canada hotel room.
No cause of death was given for the 31-year-old actor, but acting Police Chief Doug LePard said there appeared to be no evidence of foul play when he was found Saturday.
Monteith had starred in "Glee" as Finn Hudson, the star football player who joined social outcasts in a high school glee club and sang the lead in the signature cover of Journey's "Don't Stop Believing" alongside co-star and real-life girlfriend Lea Michele.
In more recent seasons, he had returned to the high school after graduating to coach the group he had sung in.
Police and paramedics were called to the Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel in downtown Vancouver shortly after noon(1900 GMT) on Saturday, where they found Monteith dead.
"As was the case in countless homes, I watched Glee regularly with my daughters, and I know there will be shock and sadness in many households with the news of his tragic death," LePard said.
The star of the Fox TV musical comedy-drama had checked into a rehabilitation center in April for substance abuse.
In a June 2011 interview with Parade magazine, the actor spoke openly about past struggles with drugs, including getting drunk and smoking pot by age 13.
By age 16 "I had a serious problem," he told Parade, and checked into a rehab center at age 19.
"I did the stint, but then went back to doing exactly what I left off doing," he said. "I'm lucky on so many counts - I'm lucky to be alive."
Monteith was born in Calgary, in Alberta province, but grew up in Victoria, on Canada's west coast close to the US border and Vancouver, according to his IMDB profile.
Monteith checked into the hotel on July 6, and was due to check out on Saturday. "There were others with Mr. Monteith in his room earlier last night, but video and... key entries show him returning to his room by himself in the early morning hours and we believe he was alone when he died," police said in a statement.
"When he missed his check-out time, staff went to the room at noon and found his body."
An autopsy is scheduled for Monday, "but all indications are that there was no foul play."
The producers of "Glee" released a statement on Twitter saying: "We are deeply saddened by this tragic news. Cory was an exceptional talent and an even more exceptional person.
"He was a true joy to work with and we will all miss him tremendously. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones."
Tributes also poured in from fellow celebrities.
"This is such sad news about Cory Monteith -- what an absolutely tragic loss of a very talented man," actress Zooey Deschanel tweeted.
"Cory Monteith, may your spirit be at peace and may you fly with the angels," Rihanna wrote on Twitter. "Heartbreaking, my prayers are with all of his loved ones!"
On his own Twitter account, Monteith had described himself as "tall, awkward, canadian, actor, drummer, person."
In addition to "Glee," Monteith had played minor roles in series such as "Smallville" and "Kyle XY".
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